By Suleiman Yakubu

As the 10th Assembly approaches one year in office, the Deputy Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Hon Afiniki Eunice Dauda (Gurara Constituency), has reaffirmed the commitment of the legislators to be more robust in their legislative function.
Afiniki Dauda stated this shortly after their 149th sitting in an interview in her office at the House of Assembly Complex, Minna.
She said that the House was focused on working with Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for the government to succeed and achieve meaningful development.
Amidst challenges, she added that the 10th Assembly has performed credibly well, making laws that have direct bearing on the people.
On her constituency project, Afiniki said she was concentrating on providing healthcare and food to her constituents.
According to her, she set aside funds monthly to provide healthcare services and food to the people because, being the only female lawmaker, she was enjoying the accorded respect from her colleagues and a good working relationship.
The deputy speaker described the Speaker, Rt Hon Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji, as a young, energetic man who has been able to carry everyone along.
Afiniki, who was a member of the 6th Assembly, said that being an opposition member has played a vital role in shaping her legislative horizons.
Meanwhile, in a matter of public urgency laid before the plenary, Hon. Zubairu Ismail (Rafi Constituency) has called on the Niger State Government, through the State Ministry of Humanitarian and Disaster Management in collaboration with the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NISEMA), to provide food and shelter for communities displaced by bandits in Rafi Local Government.
Ismail named the communities to include Ungwan Mallam Isah, Wayam Village, and Ungwan Bahago.
He urged the executive arm to equip the local vigilantes with arms to fight banditry and also impress on the federal government to deploy security to the affected areas.
One minute of silence was observed for the three vigilantes who lost their lives, while four were injured.
The House has commenced its recess and will reconvene on July 2, 2024.  

By Suleiman Yakubu

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has attributed the worsening insecurity in Shiroro and Munya local government areas in the state to the activities of illegal miners.
The governor, who disclosed this to journalists shortly after launching the education scholarship for children of fallen soldiers in Abuja, organised by the late Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru Foundation, said the state was collaborating with the Nigerian army to enforce a ban on illegal mining in the state.
He averred that criminal activities associated with terrorism were fueled by huge amounts of money made through mining, saying that henceforth, the ban on illegal mining will be decisive.
Governor Bago told newsmen that he has had a discussion with the Chief of Army Staff on collaboration with the state taskforce to bring an end to illegal mining in the state and expressed hope that the menace will stop.
"The activities of artisanal mining have caused the loss of lives, which we are all regretting. The Shiroro and Munya local governments are worse hit by insecurity, and these are the issues that are bringing about this worsening insecurity.
"We have stopped illegal mining for a long time; we have a taskforce, and we're working with the Nigerian army. We just had a discussion with Nigeria's army chief on certain collaborations we need to do to enforce this order," he said. 
The governor expressed optimism that partnering with the Nigerian Army would strengthen the task force established to execute the ban on illegal mining in the state.
Recall that a mining site in Galkogo community in Shiroro local government area of the state collapsed recently, and many people were trapped.